''If I Had a Million'' is a 1932 American

pre-Code Pre-Code Hollywood was an era in the Cinema of the United States, American film industry that occurred between the widespread adoption of sound in film in the late 1920s and the enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code censorship gui ...

Paramount Studios Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production and distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount Global. It is the sixth-oldest film studio i ...

anthology film An anthology film (also known as an omnibus film or a portmanteau film) is a single film consisting of three or more shorter films, each complete in itself and distinguished from the other, though frequently tied together by a single theme, premise ...

starring

Gary Cooper Gary Cooper (born Frank James Cooper; May 7, 1901May 13, 1961) was an American actor known for his strong, silent screen persona and understated acting style. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice and had a further three nominations, ...

George Raft George Raft (né Ranft; September 26, 1901 – November 24, 1980) was an American film actor and dancer identified with portrayals of gangsters in crime melodramas of the 1930s and 1940s. A stylish leading man in dozens of movies, Raft is remembe ...

, Charles Laughton, W. C. Fields, Jack Oakie, Frances Dee and Charlie Ruggles, among others. There were seven directors:

Ernst Lubitsch Ernst Lubitsch (; ; January 29, 1892November 30, 1947) was a German-born American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His urbane comedies of manners gave him the reputation of being Hollywood's most elegant and sophisticated director; a ...

Norman Taurog Norman Rae Taurog (February 23, 1899 – April 7, 1981) was an American film director and screenwriter. From 1920 to 1968, Taurog directed 180 films. At the age of 32, he received the Academy Award for Best Director for ''Skippy (film), Skippy' ...

, Stephen Roberts, Norman Z. McLeod,

James Cruze James Cruze (born Jens Cruz Bosen;Sadoul, Georges (1972). Dictionary of Films'. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. p. 53. . See also: * Parish, James Robert; Pitts, Michael R. (1974). Film Directors: A Guide to Their American Fi ...

William A. Seiter William Alfred Seiter (June 10, 1890 – July 26, 1964) was an American film director. Life and career Seiter was born in New York City. After attending Hudson River Military Academy, Seiter broke into films in 1915 as a bit player at Mack Senn ...

, and H. Bruce Humberstone. Lubitsch, Cruze, Seiter, and Humberstone were each responsible for a single vignette, Roberts and McLeod directed two each, and Taurog was in charge of the prologue and epilogue. The

screenplay A screenplay, or script, is a written work produced for a film, television show (also known as a '' teleplay''), or video game by screenwriters (cf. ''stage play''). Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of w ...

s were scripted by many different writers, with Joseph L. Mankiewicz making a large contribution. The film is based on the 1931 novel ''Windfall'' by Robert Hardy Andrews. A wealthy dying businessman played by veteran actor Richard Bennett decides to leave his money to eight complete strangers.

, Charles Laughton,

, May Robson, Charles Ruggles, and Gene Raymond play some of the lucky beneficiaries. The 1950s television series '' The Millionaire'' was based on a similar concept.Everett Aaker, ''The Films of George Raft'', McFarland & Company, 2013 p 33

Plot

Dying industrial tycoon John Glidden cannot decide what to do with his wealth. He despises his money-hungry relatives and believes none of his employees is capable of running his various companies. Finally, he decides to give a million dollars each to eight people picked at random from a

telephone directory A telephone directory, commonly called a telephone book, telephone address book, phonebook, or the white and yellow pages, is a listing of telephone subscribers in a geographical area or subscribers to services provided by the organization tha ...

''before'' he passes away, so as to avoid his will being contested. (The first name selected is

John D. Rockefeller John Davison Rockefeller Sr. (July 8, 1839 – May 23, 1937) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was one of the List of richest Americans in history, wealthiest Americans of all time and one of the richest people in modern hist ...

, which is swiftly rejected.)

''China Shop''

* Directed by Norman Z. McLeod Henry Peabody is unhappy, both at work and at home. A bookkeeper promoted to salesman in a china shop, Henry keeps breaking the merchandise, meaning his "raise" results in his bringing home less money than before, something his nagging wife is quick to notice. After Glidden gives him a certified check, Henry shows up late for work and then proceeds to gleefully wreak destruction on the wares.

''Violet''

* Directed by Stephen Roberts Barroom prostitute Violet Smith checks into the most expensive hotel suite she can find and goes to sleep ... alone.

''The Forger''

* Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone Eddie Jackson narrowly avoids arrest for trying to cash a forged check. With his prior record, if he were caught, it would mean a life sentence in prison. When Glidden presents him with his check, Eddie is delighted ... at first. However, he does not dare show his face in a bank, and none of his criminal associates believes the check is genuine. Frantic to leave town and desperately needing to sleep, the penniless man gives the check as security for a ten-cent bed in a flophouse. The manager secretly calls the police to take away what he thinks is a lunatic, and uses the check to light his cigar.

''Road Hogs''

* Directed by Norman Z. McLeod Ex-

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment which began in France in the middle of the 19th century. A ''vaudeville'' was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a drama ...

performer Emily La Rue is very content with her life, running her tea room with the help of her partner, ex-

juggler Juggling is a physical skill, performed by a juggler, involving the manipulation of objects for recreation, entertainment, art or sport. The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling. Juggling can be the manipulation of one object o ...

Rollo. Only one thing is lacking to make her satisfaction complete, and it is delivered that very day: a brand new car. However, when they take it out for a drive, it is wrecked when another driver ignores a stop signal. The heartbroken woman returns to her tea room, where Glidden finds her. She comes up with an inventive way to spend part of her great windfall. She and Rollo purchase eight used cars and hire drivers. They all take to the road in a long procession. When they encounter an inconsiderate road hog, Emily and Rollo immediately set off in pursuit and crash into the offender's automobile. They then switch to one of their spare cars and repeat the process, until they run out of automobiles. At the end of the day, Emily purchases another new car, but it too is destroyed in a collision with a truck. No matter. Emily tells Rollo it has been "a glorious day". This sequence was one of four written by Joe Mankiewicz,Brian Dauth, ''Joseph L. Mankiewicz: Interviews'',

University Press of Mississippi The University Press of Mississippi (UPM), founded in 1970, is a university press that is sponsored by the eight state universities in Mississippi (i.e., Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi Sta ...

, 2008, p. 49 and contains a reference to his hometown

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Wilkes-Barre ( , alternatively or ) is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. Located at the center of the Wyoming Valley in Northeastern Pennsylvania, it had a population of 44,328 in the 2020 census. It ...

''Death Cell''

* Directed by

Prisoner John Wallace has been condemned to the

electric chair The electric chair is a specialized device used for capital punishment through electrocution. The condemned is strapped to a custom wooden chair and electrocuted via electrodes attached to the head and leg. Alfred P. Southwick, a Buffalo, New Yo ...

for killing someone during a robbery. After a tearful conversation with his wife Mary, he is visited in his cell by Glidden. John is certain that his new-found wealth will save him, but it is too late. He is executed that same day, despite his protests.

''The Clerk''

* Directed by

When clerk Phineas V. Lambert receives his check in the mail, he shows little emotion. He merely leaves his desk, calmly climbs the stairs to the office of first the secretary of the president of the company, then to the office of the private secretary, and finally knocks on the door of the president himself. When he is admitted, Phineas blows a raspberry at his former boss and leaves.

''The Three Marines''

* Directed by

Glidden finds

U.S. Marine The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines or simply the Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for conducting expeditionar ...

Steve Gallagher and his good buddies Mulligan and O'Brien in the stockade for striking their sergeant. However, when Glidden gives Gallagher the check, Gallagher notices it is

April Fools' Day April Fools' Day or April Fool's Day (rarely called All Fools' Day) is an annual custom on the 1st of April consisting of practical jokes, hoaxes, and pranks. Jokesters often expose their actions by shouting "April Fool " at the recipient. ...

and assumes it is a joke. When the three men are released, they immediately head for a nearby lunch stand to see Marie, the pretty waitress. They all want to take her to the carnival, but none of them has any money. Then Gallagher remembers his check and that Zeb, the stand's owner, is illiterate. He tells Zeb that the check is for $10 and gets Zeb to cash it. He and Marie head off to the carnival, but Gallagher cannot shake his pals. Then Mulligan becomes embroiled in a fight, his comrades join in, and the trio end up right back in the stockade. Through the bars, they watch dumbfounded as a fancily dressed Zeb steps out of a limousine, escorting an equally well-garbed Marie.

''Grandma''

* Directed by Stephen Roberts The last beneficiary is Mary Walker, one of many unhappy elderly women consigned to a rest home run by Mrs. Garvey. Mrs. Garvey is a petty tyrant who enforces her rules rigorously, to the displeasure of her charges, especially the spirited, defiant Mary. Mary uses her money to turn the tables. She pays Mrs. Garvey and the rest of the staff just to sit in rocking chairs while she and the other residents have a wonderful time partying and dancing with their gentleman friends. Mary's spirit even reinvigorates John Glidden. Glidden ignores his doctor and looks forward to spending time with Mary.

Cast

Main cast (in credits order): *

as Steve Gallagher * Charles Laughton as Phineas V. Lambert *

as Eddie Jackson * Jack Oakie as Private Mulligan * Richard Bennett as John Glidden * Charles Ruggles as Henry Peabody *

Alison Skipworth Alison Skipworth (born Alison Mary Elliott Margaret Groom; 25 July 18635 July 1952) was an English stage and screen actress. Early years Skipworth was born in London. She was the daughter of Dr. Richard Ebenezer Groom and Elizabeth Rodgers, an ...

as Emily La Rue * W. C. Fields as Rollo La Rue * Mary Boland as Mrs. Peabody *

Roscoe Karns Roscoe Karns (September 7, 1891 – February 6, 1970) was an American actor who appeared in nearly 150 films between 1915 and 1964. He specialized in cynical, wise-cracking (and often tipsy) characters, and his rapid-fire delivery enlivened many ...

as Private O'Brien * May Robson as Mrs. Mary Walker Supporting cast (uncredited): *

Hooper Atchley Lemuel Hooper Atchley (April 30, 1887 – November 17, 1943) was an American film actor. Atchley was the son of Mr. and Mrs. P. S. Atchley. He was a 1908 graduate of the Knoxville, Tennessee, school system. Atchley's first professional ac ...

as Hotel Desk Clerk *

Irving Bacon Irving Ernest Bacon (September 6, 1893 – February 5, 1965) was an American character actor who appeared in almost 500 films. Early years Bacon was the son of entertainers Millar West Bacon (who was a teenager) and Myrtle Vane. He was born ...

as China Shop Salesman * Eddie Baker as Second Desk Clerk *

Reginald Barlow Reginald Harry Barlow (June 17, 1866, – July 6, 1943) was an American stage and screen character actor, author, and film director. He was a busy performer in Hollywood films of the 1930s. Early life A native of Cambridge, Massachusetts ...

as Otto K. Bullwinkle * Harry C. Bradley as Uniformed Bank Guard * James Bush as Bowen – Teller at Second Bank * Berton Churchill as Warden * Wallis Clark as Mr. Monroe – Bank Executive *

Joyce Compton Olivia Joyce Compton (January 27, 1907 – October 13, 1997) was an American actress. Biography Compton was born in Lexington, Kentucky, the daughter of Henry and Golden Compton. (Despite frequent reports to the contrary, her name was not ...

as Marie – Waitress * Cecil Cunningham as Agnes – Emily's Friend * Frances Dee as Mary Wallace * Lester Dorr as Pedestrian at Accident * James Durkin as Glidden Associate * Effie Ellsler as Mrs. Scott – Idylwood Resident *

Louise Emmons Louise Emmons (January 7, 1858 – March 6, 1935) was an American character actress. She appeared in several films between 1914 and 1935. Early years Information about her early life is contradictory. Older sources give 1852 or 1861 as her bi ...

as Idylwood Resident * Bess Flowers as China Shop Customer * Blanche Frederici as Mrs. Garvey * Wynne Gibson as Violet Smith * Frank Hagney as Mike – Carnival Bouncer * Lillian Harmer as Idylwood Receptionist * Samuel S. Hinds as Lawyer * Robert Homans as Detective * Lew Kelly as Prison Barber * Fred Kelsey as Prison Jailer * Tom Kennedy as Joe – Carnival Bouncer * Lydia Knott as Idylwood Resident * Ruby Lafayette as Idylwood Resident *

Marc Lawrence Marc Lawrence (born Max Goldsmith; February 17, 1910 – November 28, 2005) was an American character actor who specialized in underworld types. He has also been credited as F. A. Foss, Marc Laurence and Marc C. Lawrence. Early life Lawrence w ...

as Mike's Henchman *

Edward LeSaint Edward LeSaint (January 1, 1871 – September 10, 1940) was an American stage and film actor and Film director, director whose career began in the silent film, silent era. He acted in over 300 films and directed more than 90. He was sometimes ...

as Mr. Brown * Ida Lewis as Mrs. Davis – Idylwood Resident *

Lucien Littlefield Lucien Littlefield (August 16, 1895 – June 4, 1960) was an American actor who achieved a long career from silent films to the television era. He was noted for his versatility, playing a wide range of roles and already portraying old men befor ...

as Zeb – Hamburger Stand Owner * Margaret Mann as Idylwood Resident * Grant Mitchell as Prison Priest * William V. Mong as Harry – Jackson's Fence * Clarence Muse as Death Row Singing Prisoner * Gertrude Norman as Idylwood Resident *

Gail Patrick Gail Patrick (born Margaret LaVelle Fitzpatrick; June 20, 1911 – July 6, 1980) was an American film actress and television producer. Often cast as the bad girl or the other woman, she appeared in more than 60 feature films between 1932 a ...

as New Secretary at Idylwood * Jack Pennick as Sailor with Violet * Walter Percival as Carnival Concessionaire *

Tempe Pigott Tempe Pigott (2 February 1869 – 6 October 1962) was an Australian silent and sound screen character actress. In the pre-film era she was a stage actress in England, Australia, Canada and the United States. She began appearing in motion pictures ...

as Idylwood Resident * Russ Powell as Bartender at Violet's Hangout * Gene Raymond as John Wallace *

Tom Ricketts Thomas B. Ricketts (15 January 1853 – 19 January 1939) was an English-born American stage actor, stage and motion picture, film actor and film director, director who was a pioneer in the film industry. He portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge in the fi ...

as Mary's Dancing Partner at Idylwood *

Willard Robertson Willard Robertson (January 1, 1886 – April 5, 1948) was an American actor and writer. He appeared in more than 140 films from 1924 to 1948. He was born in Runnels, Texas and died in Hollywood, California. Biography Robertson first worked ...

as Fred – Glidden Associate * Dewey Robinson as Papadapoulos – Idylwood Cook * Fred Santley as Marvin – Glidden Assistant * Syd Saylor as Driver * Margaret Seddon as Mrs. Small – Idylwood Resident * John St. Polis as Glidden Associate * Edwin Stanley as Mr. Galloway – Bank Manager * Larry Steers as Glidden Associate * Frederic Richard Sullivan as Glidden Associate * Kent Taylor as Bank Teller * Jerry Tucker as Crying Boy with Balloon * Morgan Wallace as Mike – Jackson's Gangster Friend * Mai Wells as Idylwood Resident * Edith Yorke as Idylwood Resident

Reception

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' review called it "an unusually good entertainment worked out with true imagination and originality, except possibly for one interlude (Death Cell)."

Notes

References

External links

* * * {{Norman Taurog 1930s American films 1930s English-language films 1932 films 1932 comedy films American anthology films American black-and-white films American comedy films English-language comedy films Films about businesspeople Films about capital punishment Films about criminals Films about old age Films about prostitution in the United States Films about the United States Marine Corps Films based on American novels Films directed by Ernst Lubitsch Films directed by James Cruze Films directed by Norman Taurog Films directed by Norman Z. McLeod Films directed by Stephen Roberts Films directed by William A. Seiter Films set in 1932 Films with screenplays by Joseph L. Mankiewicz Films with screenplays by Sidney Buchman Paramount Pictures films